Which is better V6 Auto or Manual?

I'm looking to get a double cab 2012 Tacoma in V6. The V6 only comes in 4x4. I like manual trans, but wouldn't mind auto either. What are some opinions on auto vs. manual in the V6 4x4? Thanks.

 

there is no "better." it's personal preference. get which one suits you best, after trying them both.

 

The sloppiest, shittiest, no good manual transmission is more fun than any auto every day of the week.

 

I test drove both, automatic IMO.

 

Believe it or not, the auto in my '12 V6 is pretty damn nice. And with all the stories about the problems with the 6-speed manual trans, well... I have better things to do than deal with warrantee issues.

Go with what you prefer, but test drive it first!


And how the hell is a shitty manual more fun than a tight auto? I like driving a manual, too... but not if it has problems! Where's the fun in that?? No, thank you!

 

I like the manual in the 2012, it was much better than a used 09 I drove...but it's all preference...

 

Ok you had me laughing at work. Soooo true. I love my manual soooo much fun to drive.

It really is personal preference. In terms of MPG I get 17-18 mpg. Auto probably get you 18-19. I can see if you drive the manual hard you'll drop pretty quick.

Dont forget the chic factor. Driving manual always makes you look tougher.

 

Auto's are way better for wheeling. Same if not better MPG for auto.

 

Yes, grinding gears is sexy.

 

The auto is better, but get the manual, it is a dying art and dosent deserve to go out that way, I went ahead with the 2.7 5 speed though, didnt need the V6, my four banger gets the job done just fine anyway!

 

Auto

 

I have had one of each, I liked my auto for towing and hauling stuff, but the 6 speed is way more fun and seems to me that it would run circles around my auto. Both trucks are V6 DCSB.

 

Can someone link me a thread that explains the problems that the 6-speed has?

 

Haven't we been down this road before?

OP if I was to get a 1st gen, it would definitely be a stick. But in the 2nd gen, I definitely prefer the auto. Yes it gets better gas mileage. But if you practice a few hypermiling techniques, the 6-speed can (in most cases) match it.

For me, it was more a matter that everything now is electronic and drive-by-wire. Removing the human variable of manual shift just makes for a better pairing of engine and transmission, all governed by the computer brain. The auto is a pleasure to have, both off road and in the snow as well, and IMO the larger, heavier 2nd gen is a much smoother ride with auto.

Plus I'm not a hardcore off roader. But in Colorado, if you get out at all, it's inevitable you'll end up in some steep situations. I don't have the time to commit to my "stick skills" anymore, and have come to really appreciate the confident assistance of "full auto".

 

You sure you want to go there? You might be better off not knowing.

There have been 2 revisions of the 6-speed since it debuted in 2005. The first revision was in 2007 and the second in 2009. Early problems involved weaknesses in syncros and shift forks that could shear off or bend or break, requiring a partial or full rebuild. These supposedly were fixed in the revisions. Also all 6-speeds have problems with the throwout bearing. It doesn't really fail, as much as it will start to squeal. There is an aftermarket fix, and Toyota does now have a TSB fix as well (though I haven't heard if Toyota's fix actually fixes the problem or not).

You can search for "syncro" or "synchros", "shift fork" and "throwout bearing" and find all kinds of stuff. Unfortunately the TW search doesn't allow a search for "6-speed" as it splits it into "6" and "speed" and considers both to be too common for search. So it eliminates them.

 

Fuck me, I wish I would have looked into this prior to getting a 6 speed

 

Honestly I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. There's a gazillion of them out there, and only a small number have had problems. It was enough for Toyota to do a revision. But not a recall. You may never see a problem. A lot of course has to do with how hard you drive it too. If you pedal mash and beat the shit out of anything, it will prematurely fail.

 

Oh alright, I thought it was extremely common, I dont ever take the revs over 2500 and shift like a grandma so probably wont see any problems I suppose, not the same situation when on the trail though of course

 

You forgot the weak / squeeky clutch pedal

 

whippersnapper come on, you gotta agree on looking tougher. At least you feel tougher. LOL